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to ask if she had done something wrong. She should be thanking him for ending things before they got out of hand. She should definitely apologize for her snide remark, accept his kiss as a deserved response, and leave as an adult. She shouldn’t be contemplating throwing herself into his arms and begging for his possession.
    That thought brought a return of sanity, and she squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry for my thoughtless remarks. I don’t feel quite like myself tonight. It must be from the concussion.” Or the amazing kiss. She blocked that thought. “Regardless of your reasons, thank you for allowing me to stay. I’ll do my best to stay out of your way.”
    He nodded, but didn’t speak. Ellie steadied herself and hurried to the door, not looking back until she turned the knob. She glanced at Rica, unable to resist noticing the way the light shimmered on his skin, or the loneliness of his pose. She swallowed down an unexpected lump of moisture and hurried out into the night, intending to honor her promise to avoid him. She had to, if she hoped to complete her study.
     
    * * * * *
    “Was he cruel?” Davinia asked as she helped Ellie make the beds the following morning. They hadn’t had a chance to speak last night, because Davinia and Viggo were in bed by the time she returned. Ellie had stayed up half the night, tossing and turning in the small bed, wishing Rica had taken care of the ache he had created between her thighs.
    She tucked in the corner of the sheet, shaking her head. “No, not really. He told me to keep to myself and not expect a free ride.”
    Davinia nodded. “The women here have so much work. It’s just silly they won’t put in electricity.”
    “Why is that?” Ellie tried to sound casual as she kept her attention on smoothing the sheet.
    “The Pack doesn’t like to rely on anyone for anything. That applies even to utility service. The rest of Corsova put in electricity in the ‘50s, but Rica’s grandfather refused to allow it in Necheau.” Davinia stood up straight, rubbing her lower back.
    Ellie saw her grimace as she stood up to retrieve the quilt. “Are you all right?”
    Davinia shrugged. “I suppose they are the typical pains of pregnancy.”
    “Maybe you should see the doctor.” She unfolded the quilt across the bed as she spoke.
    Davinia grasped the other side. “We have no doctor. Belia, that horrid woman who spoke out against Rica last night, is the midwife, but she won’t see me.”
    Ellie paused in the action of tucking in the quilt. “What? Why not?”
    “I’m not one of the Pack.”
    She was concerned for her new friend. “Have you seen a doctor at all?”
    Davinia shook her head. “It’s not our way. I would know if there’s a problem.”
    “Hmm.” She wondered how many live births the women of Corsova had each year. “Is it the same with the people in the village where you lived before?”
    “It’s the same with all our people.” Davinia laughed lightly. “Bulgainia isn’t a village. It’s the capitol of Corsova, and quite modern. I used to go shopping with my aunt. I could buy clothes right out of the store, rather than make them myself.” She looked sad. “That was before I married Viggo.”
    “Are you happy?” Perhaps it was an impertinent question, but Ellie sensed her friend wasn’t.
    Davinia sat on the bed. She was careful not to meet Ellie’s eyes. A sigh escaped her. “I love him, and I’m thrilled about the baby, but I wish things were different. If he weren’t the Beta of the Pack, we could have lived at the castle or in Bulgainia.”
    Ellie sat on the other side of the bed, trying to commit to memory everything Davinia said. Part of her wished she didn’t have to be so analytical. She wanted to listen just for the sake of listening, not to learn something she might be able to use in her study. It was the same situation each time she integrated into a culture. Her conscience always warred with her academic side.
    “Viggo